Fatih Birol interview on Youtube for the film "PetroApocalypse Now?"

In this 40 minute exclusive interview for my film "PetroApocalypse Now?" I interviewed Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the IEA about reserves, the USGS, technology, demand and recession, solutions and peak oil.

Shot in 13 countries over a four-year period, Oil Apocalypse Now? reveals the myths and conspiracy theories surrounding the future of our world's oil supplies. It includes interviews with over 30 of the most influential people on both sides of the argument to examine if the oil age is coming to an end.

Is there a conspiracy of silence to keep the truth from us? In the last four years world oil prices have tripled. Why? One school of thought blames the weak U.S. dollar. Others say commodity speculators are behind the rocketing oil prices. There is a third voice growing in strength that points to another reason - supply and demand are driving prices up. As supplies diminish and production becomes more expensive, the world faces even higher prices and perhaps the collapse of global production. Then there's talk of missing OPEC barrels. Oil Apocalypse Now? tries to separate the facts from fiction.

Everyone agrees that if oil production is going to increase it will have to come from the group of 13 oil producing countries known as OPEC. But can OPEC really do it? We meet the men in power and find out that all may not be as it seems. Travelling to Kuwait the documentary team uncovers exclusive evidence that world oil reserves may be exaggerated by up to 50%.

But fears about our oil supplies aren't limited to missing OPEC barrels. Travelling to the U.S. Oil Apocalypse Now? examines arguments from The Association for the Study of Peak Oil, a group of industry insiders who've been warning of a coming Oil apocalypse for over 30 years. Through fascinating archives, viewers are able to look back at the oil shocks from the 1970's, when prices shot up but then fell back again. Is this time any different? What are the implications if oil prices continue to increase? What are we doing about it and what are the alternatives to our heavy dependence on oil?

Oil Apocalypse Now? is directed and produced by Andrew Evans for Acreditor Films in the UK.

--- External link: Petroapocalypse Now Visit the official film website watch the trailer, read more about the future of oil supplies and contact the director.

Editorial Notes:Documentary on peak oil features interviews wiht figures in industry and government. Mini-review The film is professionally produced, with a feel like one of PBS's "Frontline" documentaries. It has a nice summary of peak oil, but is probably not what I would show first to a peak oil "virgin" - it may be a little too much. Other films may give a better all-around-view and leave you with a sense of what you might do in response to peak oil. The best aspect of the film is the interviews, in particular the talks with Fatih Birol, which Andrew has graciously placed on YouTube. In my notes after viewing the film, I wrote "eye-opening." Kurt Cobb said the film projected the feeling that "You've been lied to" by the powers that be. -BA

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